The Smart Blue Regions factsheet provides an overview on the regional blue economy in the Riga Planning Region in Latvia

1. The region in brief
Riga Planning Region is the capital region of Latvia. Its central location
amongst the states of the Baltic – bordering both European and East-
ern cultures – has shaped Riga Region as a bridge between different
countries and their populations.
Riga planning region consists of 30 local municipalities. Its area
is 10,438 km2
, or 16.2% of the total area of Latvia. The capital region
is the most densely populated region, home to 1,089,960 inhabitants
or 50.5% of the total population of Latvia. Riga Region is the economic
centre of the country with €14,480 Gdp per capita and a concentration
of 80% of all foreign direct investments.
The region is characterised by the dynamic capital city Rīga, where
the impact of natural integration between various nations can be felt.
Other cities and towns in the region are also significant – they include
Jūrmala, Limbaži, Tukums, Ogre and Sigulda, as well as the rural envi-
ronment that has not been touched by industrialisation. The region
is given special value by its position on the coast of the Riga Gulf of
the Baltic Sea, which extends to 185 km, as well as by its internal
water sources. The Riga port and four small ports – Salacgrīva, Skulte,
Jūrmala and Engure are also located in the region.
The blue economy in Riga Planning Region today
Riga Planning Region’s development assets within the context of the
Baltic Sea Region are a green environment, creative industries, infor-
mation technology development, and knowledge of foreign languages.
These open up opportunities for development of knowledge-inten-
sive production facilities based on chemical technologies and health
tourism.
The Gulf of Riga is one of the most productive marine areas in the
Baltic Sea – in terms of produced biomass. Innovative and sustainable
use of marine resources is a key factor for the long-term prosperity
of the region. The capacity of marine ecosystems is therefore already
monitored and researched to maintain the longevity of this natural
potential. A concentration of research and development resources in
the region provides an excellent opportunity for further progress in
the technologies – simultaneously promoting growth and protecting
the environment.
Latvia’s Ris3 identifies the following priorities: high added value
products, productive innovation systems, energy efficiency, modern ict,
modern education, the knowledge base and polycentric development
in specialisation areas such as bio economics, bio-medicine, medical
technologies, bio pharmacy and biotechnology, advanced materials,
engineering systems, smart energy and ict.
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Baltic Sea
Riga
Jūrmala
Riga Planning Region
The regional blue economy – a factsheet

2. The blue economy of tomorrow in Riga
Planning Region – our vision
Riga Planning Region aims to use the unique resources of the Gulf of
Riga more efficiently for the economic prosperity of the region. Within
the framework of the Smart Blue Regions project, Riga Planning
Region will elaborate the Blue Growth strategy based on transnational
exchange of regional RIS3 strategies and innovative investment pro-
jects in the fields of health, energy and aquaculture by using smart
technologies.
The natural resources of the Gulf of Riga give rise to new oppor-
tunities for the development of medical products and services. The
treasures of the resort city Jūrmala are the city’s natural resources: an
ionized and clean pine tree forest air, rich in phytoncides, a clean and
accessible white quartz sand beach, mineral waters rich in hydrogen
sulfide, bromine and sodium chloride composition and medical mud.
Medical spa treatments attract tourists from a wealth of different
countries and it is expected that the region will strengthen its positions
as a health improvement destination in the entire Baltic Sea region.
These resources also open up opportunities for the development of
medical products based on marine resources.
Of equal importance is the development of a network of attrac-
tive and accessible marinas in the region (with up-to-date services
for sailors and visitors) to open the gates for tourism and recreation.
smart blue regions: Riga Planning Region
Photo by Aleksandrs Kendenkovs
This regional factsheet has been elaborated by the “Smart Blue
Regions” project. The project seeks to enhance blue growth oppor-
tunities based on increased capacity of the 6 partner regions from
the Baltic Sea to implement research and innovation strategies
for smart specialisation (RIS3). “Smart Blue Regions”, which has
been initiated by the Submariner Network, aims to improve the
understanding of macro-regional synergies and transnational
cooperation in the field of the blue economy.
Regional Contact of Riga Planning Region
Riga Planning Region
Contact Person: Inga Brieze
Tel: +371 675 59823
Email: inga.brieze@rpr.gov.lv
www.smartblueregions.eu
the
project
The regional focus areas for blue growth
energy tourism medicinemarine
research
aquaculture